Classroom: 0, Internet: 1
Jan 8th, 2006
More and more students are choosing keyboards over chalkboards.
According to data collected by public universities in South Dakota, the demise of the traditional lecture hall seems imminent. I'm not sure if it will ever come to that, but the article is quite thought provoking.
From Argus Leader:
A rapidly growing number of college students are avoiding lectures and early morning commitments by taking classes online through South Dakota's public universities.
So many in fact, that the number of credit hours delivered electronically in 2004-05 is 36 percent higher than the previous year.
More than four out of 10 of those students are even living on campus, but for one reason or another choose to take classes over their personal computers.
"Frankly, we were surprised by that," Board of Regents President Harvey Jewett of Aberdeen said.
Sheila Aaker, extended services coordinator at Black Hills State University, said some students have jobs that conflict with class times. Others might just prefer the Internet to taking a class at 9 or 10 a.m. Some enjoy hearing a professor lecture and some don't.
"I think there are more demands on students' time, both traditional and nontraditional," Aaker said. "They're looking for ways that will allow them to keep doing what they're doing. If they can 'attend' class online, they don't have to be in a seat at a certain time. For me, it's a bit of a puzzle, but when my son needs information, the first thing he does is go online."
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